Predicting Manchester United’s strongest XI after the winter transfer window

Manchester United ended the winter transfer window with much-needed midfield reinforcement, as Bruno Fernandes made the move to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon. The Red Devils had been missing a midfielder ever since the departure of Ander Herrera, and injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay had put the club under a considerable amount of pressure. With Fernandes in the squad and the injured duo edging closer to returns, things are beginning to look better for the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also managed to complete a loan deal for Odion Ighalo on deadline day, which means United have also secured some cover for the injured Marcus Rashford, who is not expected to return until April. Also, United snapped up young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop from Southend United for an undisclosed fee.

As such, the Norwegian might be tempted to rethink his best eleven after he gets all his best players back from injury. The Red Devils are still competing in the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League, while they are also gunning for a top 4 finish in the Premier League.

Today, we try to predict Manchester United’s strongest starting eleven at the end of the winter transfer window. Players currently injured have been included in the assessment, while alternatives before their return from injury have been suggested. Read on to find out United’s strongest starting eleven at the moment.

Formation: 4-3-3

Bench: Sergio Romero, Eric Bailly, Mason Greenwood, Odion Ighalo, Brandon Williams, Fred

#1 Goalkeeper – David de Gea

David de Gea has looked nervy at times this season, but he still among the handful of world-class players at Old Trafford right now. The Spaniard has not been error-free in the first half of the season, but has also saved United’s blushes on numerous occasions. Sergio Romero has been more than an able deputy, but De Gea’s ability to churn out unimaginable saves from the unlikeliest of positions make him a class above the rest of the goalkeepers at United’s disposal.

The defence has not been completely sorted out this season and the Spaniard has been left vulnerable at times. However, he has mostly delivered when called upon and has shown time and again that he can be unbeatable on his day.

#2 Right Back – Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The Englishman has settled quite well at Old Trafford and has become a regular feature in Solskjaer’s team this season. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s strengths include his speed and tackling, while his tenacious side has been a boon for the Red Devils at the back. However, the 21-year-old does has plenty of room for improvement, especially in the final third, where he lacks decision making and penetration.

Wan-Bissaka can be a little timid while attacking and needs to improve his crossing skills, but he is still a fantastic player in his own right. The Englishman requires a greater sense of adventure and while he has shown signs of improvement in recent games, Solskjaer will be demanding a lot more from his in the upcoming months.

#3 Left Back – Luke Shaw

The emergence of young Brandon Williams has been a cause of concern for Luke Shaw this season, but the former Southampton man has come back stronger in recent games. Shaw has been applauded for combining his defensive responsibilities with his attacking instincts and remains ahead of Williams in the pecking order, at least for now.

The Englishman has added maturity to his game of late and his covering up at the back has been immaculate at times. He has complemented his centre-backs very well in defence, while also developing a good understanding with his frontline too. However, he still needs to improve on his final balls and his crossing ability.

#4 Center back – Victor Lindelof

Victor Lindelof has been guilty of blowing hot and cold this season, but Swede has shown sparks of a budding relationship with Harry Maguire at the heart of the United defence. The former Benfica man has shown glimpses of his qualities, but a lack of consistency has hurt him. Eric Bailly’s injury has given Lindelof a lengthier run in the team despite being error-prone, and now that the Ivory Coast international is back from injury, the competition for places should be intense.

However, Lindelof’s ability to play the ball out from the back coupled with his reading of the game makes puts him ahead of Bailly for now. Even though he has looked the most comfortable as a part of a back 3, Lindelof remains United’s best partner for Maguire at the centre of the defence.

#5 Center back – Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire’s arrival at Old Trafford over the summer was supposed to solve United’s defensive crisis from last season. Unfortunately, while the defence has improved, it is not fool-proof yet. The demands of the task in hand seem to have affected the Englishman’s natural game at times. However, there’s no denying that Maguire is the best centre back in Solskjaer’s squad right not.

The Englishman has been vulnerable due to a lack of protection ahead of him this season, but he has shown that he can be the leader at the back that the United defence has been crying out for. Maguire has shown his ability to drive forward with the ball and has even scored his first goal for the club this season. Once the injury problem at Old Trafford subsides and enables Solskjaer to field a full-strength team, the Englishman should get back to his best for the Red Devils.

#6 Central Midfield – Scott McTominay

Paul Pogba has hogged the limelight with his injury, but the player United have missed the most this season has been Scott McTominay. The Scottish midfielder has come out on his own this season and has been terrific in the centre of the park. His desire and tenacity in midfield has been pivotal for United in the first half of the season, which is why his injury was a big blow to Solskjaer.

When the Scot returns from injury, Manchester United will have a warrior back in the team. McTominay adds a degree of steel in the middle of the park, which will help the defence be a lot more comfortable. His ability to move the ball quickly also aids Solskjaer’s fast and fluid style of play, so the Norwegian will be desperate to have his midfield marshall back. Until then, though, Matic will continue to deputize for the Scot.

#7 Central Midfield – Paul Pogba

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has time and again reiterated his desire to build a team around Paul Pogba. The Norwegian’s arrival at Old Trafford had ignited life back into the Frenchman, who was outstanding during the initial stages of Solskjaer’s appointment. After a summer of reinforcements, the former Molde man was hoping to kick-start his first full season with Pogba pulling the strings in the team, however, that was not to be.

Even though Fred has stepped up significantly in recent times, the Frenchman’s injury has hit United very hard this season. Pogba has made just 8 appearances for the Red Devils so far but is edging closer to a return. Once he is back, the Frenchman will surely relish the arrival of Fernandes in the team, with whom he will be looking to link up and open up defences. Manchester United will also be hoping that their talisman will be able to fire them back into the top 4.

#8 Central Midfield – Bruno Fernandes

Even though Bruno Fernandes failed to inspire United to a victory in his debut, the Portuguese gave United fans a glimpse of his qualities. Fernandes started the game as a No. 10 but soon drifted around the park. Andreas Pereira’s poor form meant that he had to switch to a deeper role in the second half, where he showed his ability to adapt and improvise.

The Portuguese was assured with his passing, not shying away from trying adventurous final balls whenever the opportunity presented itself. He also showed his dead-ball prowess and his striking ability from distance. Unfortunately, Fernandes was a part of a makeshift team on the night, but in a midfield containing Pogba and McTominay, the Portuguese could become a pivotal player for the Red Devils.

#9 Right Forward – Daniel James

An area Solskjaer will most certainly strengthen in the summer, the right forward role has continuously been one of United’s weaknesses. The Norwegian has tried quite a few players in the role, but the only one who has shown a bit of promise is Daniel James. The Welshman’s speed and desire to track back make him United’s best option in the position.

Even though it is not his preferred position, James has managed to hold his own when starting on the right side of the field. On the other hand, his combination with Rashford has been one of the highlights of United’s season. The youngster had a dream start to life with the Red Devils, but has drifted away from the limelight in the last few months. However, James continues to work hard and his tenacity and crossing ability also adds a different dimension to United’s gameplay.

#10 Center Forward – Anthony Martial

Few players have divided opinion like Anthony Martial at Manchester United. The Frenchman can be brilliant one moment and indifferent in the next, and that is where most of United’s problems lie. Like the rest of the team, Martial has struggled to add consistency to his game, even though his talent is there for everyone to see.

Even though Odion Ighalo will provide Solskjaer will a different presence in the box, it is clear that for now, Martial is the ideal choice to lead the line for United. This term, the Frenchman has registered his best goalscoring return for the club since his debut season and his understanding with Rashford has been hugely fruitful for the Red Devils. And for United to finish the season on a high, Martial needs to be in top form from now until May.

#11 Left Forward – Marcus Rashford

At the start of the season, Solskjaer had shown tremendous trust in his young strike force by letting Romelu Lukaku leave without signing a replacement. While the decision not to sign a striker has backfired, his trust has been vindicated by Marcus Rashford. The Englishman was in blistering form before picking up a back injury in January and turned out to be United’s most important player in the absence of Pogba. He has scored 19 goals from 31 games so far this season, which is the best return of his professional career.

Even though Rashford is not expected to return until April, Manchester United’s strongest starting eleven remains incomplete without his presence. The youngster has matured very well this season and has combined his natural game with a new-found goalscoring instinct. When fit and firing, there are few players better than him in his position.

Edited by Vishal Subramanian